Raynham all-stars don’t get necessary help to advance in Ripken World Series

Tuesday

Aug 14, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 14, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Raynham’s magical run has come to an end in the 2012 Cal Ripken Major/60 World Series.

Raynham’s only way at advancing past pool was for Kokomo, Ind., to lose.

Raynham had to watch their fate be sealed from afar by a comeback win, 6-4, for Kokomo over El Dorado, Ark.

Kokomo rallied to score three runs in the top of the sixth inning after trailing 4-3. Kokomo wasn’t out of the woods yet, despite the 6-4 lead, as El Dorado loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth but failed to score.

Chris McDaniel

Raynham’s magical run has come to an end in the 2012 Cal Ripken Major/60 World Series.

Raynham’s only way at advancing past pool was for Kokomo, Ind., to lose.

Raynham had to watch their fate be sealed from afar by a comeback win, 6-4, for Kokomo over El Dorado, Ark.

Kokomo rallied to score three runs in the top of the sixth inning after trailing 4-3. Kokomo wasn’t out of the woods yet, despite the 6-4 lead, as El Dorado loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth but failed to score.

On Sunday, Raynham held their fate in their own hands. A win over Kokomo would have sent them to the single-elimination portion of the tourney, but they lost, 8-3, in a game that was tied at three entering the sixth inning.

Kokomo advances in the tournament, despite having the same 2-2 record as Raynham because of the head-to-head match-up.

Raynham head coach Bill DeLuca had to watch the Kokomo game from afar.

“It was definitely a helpless feeling,” said DeLuca.

DeLuca was receiving game updates, “As much as people could give me updates.”

Although their season is over, Raynham still had great success in the tournament. Raynham defeated El Dorado, 5-3, in the opening game of the tournament.

They then showed their resolve by defeating Burlington, 7-6, after losing to Vasalia, Calif., 28-4.

“I can’t really put words on it,” said DeLuca of Raynham’s deep summer run. “The ... situation still hasn’t hit us yet. Maybe it will when we look at the pictures.”

DeLuca has been the coach of these Raynham all-stars since they were seven years old. The first year was as an assistant and the last four have been as the head coach.

The group has been together so long that Colin Trahon is the newest member of the team, having joined at age 10.

“It was completely amazing, and we never expected to be in the World Series,” said DeLuca. “I’m just overjoyed and completely exhilarated.”

The memories are plentiful for the kids from Raynham, ranging from Matthew DeLuca’s three RBI game and Bryce Gallagher’s bomb home run in the 7-6 win against Burlington, to Trahon’s 12 strikeouts against Kokomo, to winning their opening game 5-3 against El Dorado.

“If they all stay focused and disciplined, they all have a starting position anywhere they play,” said DeLuca.